and many more benefits!

GMAT Club Timer Informer

Hi GMATClubber!

Thank you for using the timer!
We noticed you are actually not timing your practice. Click the START button first next time you use the timer.
There are many benefits to timing your practice, including:

Hide Tags

The average text-format computer password is highly effective at stopp
[#permalink]

Show Tags

20 Aug 2019, 02:33

2

2

00:00

A

B

C

D

E

Difficulty:

(N/A)

Question Stats:

36%(02:12) correct 64%(02:17) wrong based on 136 sessions

HideShow timer Statistics

The average text-format computer password is highly effective at stopping casual attempts by hackers to break into a critical, secured computer systems but can be hacked within a few minutes by a powerful computer permitted to make repeated remote login attempts. No critical, secured computer system can afford to be defended by a measure that will last as little time as a few minutes. Biometric authentication, on the other hand, has no vulnerability to remote repeated login attempts. Clearly, therefore, for critical, secured computer systems, the average text-format computer password can play no part in effectively stopping hacking attempts.

The argument is most vulnerable to the objection that it fails to

A. consider that there might be noncritical secured computer systems for which the average text-format computer password can be perfectly useful

B. identify any alternative method of stopping hackers that could be used instead of the method it rejects

C. distinguish among the various kinds of biometric authentication

D. consider the possibility of combining the two methods of stopping hackers that it mentions

E. consider that stronger-than-average text-format computer passwords take days to be cracked by repeated login attempts, making them effective enough for critical, secured computer systems

Re: The average text-format computer password is highly effective at stopp
[#permalink]

Show Tags

20 Aug 2019, 23:36

Bunuel wrote:

The average text-format computer password is highly effective at stopping casual attempts by hackers to break into a critical, secured computer systems but can be hacked within a few minutes by a powerful computer permitted to make repeated remote login attempts. No critical, secured computer system can afford to be defended by a measure that will last as little time as a few minutes. Biometric authentication, on the other hand, has no vulnerability to remote repeated login attempts. Clearly, therefore, for critical, secured computer systems, the average text-format computer password can play no part in effectively stopping hacking attempts.

The argument is most vulnerable to the objection that it fails to

A. consider that there might be noncritical secured computer systems for which the average text-format computer password can be perfectly useful

B. identify any alternative method of stopping hackers that could be used instead of the method it rejects

C. distinguish among the various kinds of biometric authentication

D. consider the possibility of combining the two methods of stopping hackers that it mentions

E. consider that stronger-than-average text-format computer passwords take days to be cracked by repeated login attempts, making them effective enough for critical, secured computer systems

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION:

Reading comprehension: our ears should prick up at the phrase "play no part." We can see by altering or omitting this phrase that represents a critical detail in the argument. Text passwords may be inferior in some ways, but that doesn't mean it won't help to use them in addition to some other measures; the argument fails to recognize that. We have a critical detail filter to apply to the answer choices, something like, "maybe the argument is wrong because it's worth using text passwords along with other measures."

Applying the filter: We compare the answer choices with our expectation. Choice (A) is immaterial, because the argument isn't discussing "noncritical" systems. Choice (B) contradicts the evidence we have been given, the argument does give an alternative to text passwords--it mentions biometrics. Choice (C) is irrelevant. Choice (D) delivers on our expectation: it says, in other words, text passwords can "play a part." Choice (E) is irrelevant, because the argument and its conclusion are about average text-format passwords only, not stronger ones.

Logical proof: We can't apply the negation test exactly to an answer choice, given the way they are wording. But we can negate the idea being conveyed by imagining that the argument did consider using both methods. We can confirm that such an argument would be stronger; it would have better grounds to say that text passwords can "play no part." We have confirmed that we are discussing a point of failure in the argument.

Show Tags

My train of thought- as the argument mentioned "passwords which will give up within few minutes" so a password which takes time to break - multiple days- is a strong password and the argument fails to consider that.

Re: The average text-format computer password is highly effective at stopp
[#permalink]

Show Tags

21 Aug 2019, 01:34

Even though E mentions that the the stronger than average password will defend the system from hacking for a couple of days, the system still CAN be hacked and be in control of someone else. Thereby, the use of password at the first place seems not a good idea. Hence E can be ruled out.

Re: The average text-format computer password is highly effective at stopp
[#permalink]

Show Tags

21 Aug 2019, 04:54

Bunuel wrote:

Bunuel wrote:

The average text-format computer password is highly effective at stopping casual attempts by hackers to break into a critical, secured computer systems but can be hacked within a few minutes by a powerful computer permitted to make repeated remote login attempts. No critical, secured computer system can afford to be defended by a measure that will last as little time as a few minutes. Biometric authentication, on the other hand, has no vulnerability to remote repeated login attempts. Clearly, therefore, for critical, secured computer systems, the average text-format computer password can play no part in effectively stopping hacking attempts.

The argument is most vulnerable to the objection that it fails to

A. consider that there might be noncritical secured computer systems for which the average text-format computer password can be perfectly useful

B. identify any alternative method of stopping hackers that could be used instead of the method it rejects

C. distinguish among the various kinds of biometric authentication

D. consider the possibility of combining the two methods of stopping hackers that it mentions

E. consider that stronger-than-average text-format computer passwords take days to be cracked by repeated login attempts, making them effective enough for critical, secured computer systems

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION:

Reading comprehension: our ears should prick up at the phrase "play no part." We can see by altering or omitting this phrase that represents a critical detail in the argument. Text passwords may be inferior in some ways, but that doesn't mean it won't help to use them in addition to some other measures; the argument fails to recognize that. We have a critical detail filter to apply to the answer choices, something like, "maybe the argument is wrong because it's worth using text passwords along with other measures."

Applying the filter: We compare the answer choices with our expectation. Choice (A) is immaterial, because the argument isn't discussing "noncritical" systems. Choice (B) contradicts the evidence we have been given, the argument does give an alternative to text passwords--it mentions biometrics. Choice (C) is irrelevant. Choice (D) delivers on our expectation: it says, in other words, text passwords can "play a part." Choice (E) is irrelevant, because the argument and its conclusion are about average text-format passwords only, not stronger ones.

Logical proof: We can't apply the negation test exactly to an answer choice, given the way they are wording. But we can negate the idea being conveyed by imagining that the argument did consider using both methods. We can confirm that such an argument would be stronger; it would have better grounds to say that text passwords can "play no part." We have confirmed that we are discussing a point of failure in the argument.

The correct answer is (D).

Awesome question. A bit tough to fully grasp, but once done it is doable.

Show Tags

My train of thought- as the argument mentioned "passwords which will give up within few minutes" so a password which takes time to break - multiple days- is a strong password and the argument fails to consider that.